Party Priest Andrew WK Cancels Keene Street Show

Noted party monster Andrew W.K. has canceled his scheduled appearance at Saturday's Golden Ghost Collection clothing-line launch party at the Keene Street Warehouse (1620 Keene) for reasons about as vague as you'd expect.

"I'm very sorry that the Houston show fell through," the singer-songwriter/motivational speaker/serial bleeder posted on www.andrewwk.com last night. "We did our best to salvage it, but the opportunity vanished. I'll come back to Houston soon and the party will be better than ever.

"We were advised by some of the show organizers that their original plans had fallen through, and in their opinion, we should cancel, rather than show up and not be able to play," he continued. "I was sincerely looking forward to seeing many familiar faces and old friends, and I've been deeply frustrated by this turn of events. It wasn't meant to be this time, but there will be a next time, and it will be great."

Some have speculated Andrew canceled over fear the party would be shut down by the authorities before he ever made it to the stage. His July 4 show at Emo's in Austin is still on, as is the rest of the Keene Street party. Now headlining is Austin's Octopus Project, after an all-Houston afternoon and evening of Bring Back the Guns, Jonbenet, By the End of Tonight (who were scheduled to be Andrew's suprise backing band), Watermarks, Riff Tiffs, O Pioneers!, Papermoons, American Sharks, Welfare Mothers, Limb and Lisa's Sons.

"I hope this does not encourage people to not come because it will still be amazing," promoter Jacob Calle posted on Hands Up Houston last night. "There will be plenty of Sparks and beer so that triples the party inside of you, plus with pizza and ice cream that doubles it, so lets just say saturday is going to be one bad-ass weekend with or without Andrew WK. Octopus Project, anyone?"

Tickets are still avaliable at Sound Exchange and www.iheartuproductions.com. Rocks will post a collection of MP3s by several Keene Street bands tomorrow. - Chris Gray